Load protecting mechanism



NOV- 6, 1945. c. w. AcKERMAN ErAL 2,388,304

I LOAD PROTECTING MECHANISM Filed Oct. lO, 1944 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Qe\\ W Imm NOV- 6, 1945. c. w. ACKERMAN ETAI. 2,388,304

LQAD` PROTEQTING MEcHANIsM Filed oct. 1o, 1944 5 sheets-sheet 2 Nov. 6, 1945.

c. W. ACKERMAN x-:T AL

LOAD PROTECTING MECHANISM Filed Oct. l0., 1944 5 Shee'liS-SheelI 3 NOV. 6, 1945. `c; W ACKERMAN |A| 2,388,304

LOAD PROTECTING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. l0, 1944 flor/Maag -N0V 6, 1945 c. w.y AcKl-:RMAN ET AL 2,388,304

LOAD PROTECTING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed oct. lO, 1944 Patented Nov. 6, 1945 LOAD 'Peo'reoriNGMEcHANisM Chester .Ackerman and Emmett LFierbaug'h, Ashland, Ohio v l application october `10, 194.4, 'serial No. 558,039 is claims. A(rol..2,88--1-199 ,The present invention relates to aload'coniining and supporting device for trucks, railroad cars, trailers, airplanes, ships, barges, and the like means for transporting jloads, and more particularly to a load supporting device which is adapted to support `and fasten a load Asuch as pipes, steel rods, conduits, or heterogeneous bodies which' are diflicult to hold in place during transportation and are frequently thrown oli or shifted in position so as to produce animbalancedlload, there'bycreating a potential danger. i

It is well known that the ,present Ymeans for transporting heavy loads, such as steel pipes Land the like, by means of trucks, trailers and other vehicles, are not entirely .safe for the reason -that the load is insecurely jheld on the vehicle by means of a chain or ropes which are generally passed over the top of the load andare fastened on cleats or hooks under the 'bodir 0f the vehicle. The loads are frequently shifted in position or entirely thrown off the vehicle because of, insecure fastening, or because the particular manner of fastening permits the ,load to ,be shifted ,in whole or in part, particularly whenthe vehicle is rounding a sharp curve. t l

In transporting heavy loads of metal, such as rails, steel bars, ,0r pipes, the load to be transported is frequently encased in a wooden crate, which is discarded when the load reachesits destination. This mode of supporting a heavy load is expensive and costly because of thetime required to build the crate and support the assembly in place on the transporting device. It is aform `ol? lloaol Asecuring means which vis adapted unsatisfactory also because of the low breaking strength of the wood which with a heavy 'load of .metal sometimes breaks when .the vehicle is subjected to a sudden jolt, or ra succession of jolts, which ,causes the load .to exert ,a succession of lhammer blows 'by which the crate `is broken `so l as to release the load. The transportation by means of ships, barges, or other vesselsI is also dangerous in the ordinary manner of transporting heavy loads, or the reason that during storms or rough weather, the "load .is liable to shift to `such anV extent as to cause listing of the heavy load in place on a truck, trailer, airplane, ship, barge, or other transporting means, 'sofas to .avoid danger to lite ,and property through the shiftingof the load, .as frequently takes place withthe form ,offload securing means heretoiore used.f .f

`Another object of the invention `is to provide tobe permanently installed in the :door of a trailer, truck or other transporting device.

Another object of theinventionlis to provide a .form of load securing .mechanism which is adapted to be used .inassembling a .load rbefore itjis put .on to .the transporting device. In accordance .with 'this object .ofthe invention, .a .series oftheload securing units may beused in parallel and at .the desired ,space .intervals onto which the loadds first placed and in connection with which itis .securely fastened so as to prevent relative movement loetween portions of the load'and the load securing units. The load with the attached load securingunits may then be handled `separately .as a `unit and may be loaded into place on the transporting vdevice by means of .a crane,;hoisit or other device, .and may then be further fastened in place Ion the .transporting device so as to prevent possible relative movement `between the unit andthe Vsaid -transport- 1 ing device.

Another .object of theinvention .is to provide a means for securing a load .in position on a supporting surface, s o .as .to ksecure the parts of the load in the desired relative positions to provide the desired load distribution with reference to the center of gravity of a vehicle, or the cen-ter` of buoyancy of a vessel. ,accordance with this object of the invention, a' plurality of` movable supporting arms `are provided which are mounted in a casing around `a movable pivot so that the arms may be elevated `at any -`desired .angle upto ninety degrees relative to theisupporting .suriace, and. maybe retracted in position Aso as to be lushwit'h the vupper surface of the casing of the unit, orlush with the supporting surface of the transporting device in the .form ofthe invention, in which theunits are built-in in the manner jhereinafter described.

Another object of the invention is to provide a form of supplemental fastening means adapted to fasten and confine a load on the supporting surface ofwa transporting device by means of which a load is prevented from changing .its ,elei vation relative to the supporting surface;

Another object oi the invention is to provide a mechanical means for supporting and conning a load on the surface of a transporting device by means of which the load may be arranged in any desired predetermined position transversely of the longitudinal direction of the load, so as to confine the load within any desired predetermined lateral limits, and to provide additional supports adapted to determine the contour of the upper surface of the load and to prevent relative movement from the predetermined initial positionithereof.` 'i y' Another 'object ofthe invention is to provide a load' supporting mechanism adapted to secureta truck, trailer, or the like, and to confine the same by means of a plurality of supporting'membersl which are adapted to be raised at rightangles I Tig. 6 is a plan view of one of the arm supporting members 60, shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the section line 1-1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation showing a modified form of the load supporting unit, which is adapted to be attached and detached from a trailer, truck or other transporting means, the device being shown in operative position for carryi'ng' a load; f v i Fig. 9 is "afragmentary view-of a chain and attaching member for binding a load in posilongitudinally extending load in position on V-la l or any intermediate angle to the supporting sur- V4berwhich may be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the load'into any desired lateral position, and then into an inclined position around the pivot into the desired angle with the supporting surface.. A supplemental supporting member is also provided to hold therlateral supporting arms in the desired` inclined position, the supplemental supporting member being supported at its base between theteeth of a rack at any desired transverse position, and similarly supported at its upper end in engagementbetween the` teethY of a rack at the. desired elevation to support the particular load in a manner depending upon the load distribution.

Another object of theinvention is toY provide 4 a separate member which may beV attached to thev lateral supporting arms when raised in an inclined position, so that the load may be further supported and confined. For this purpose, a bar of wood, or a metal beam may b'eplaced transversely over the load surface, and a separate load conning'member may be attached to each of the lateral supporting arms and screwed down into place on the wood or metal beam so as to rigidly hold and confine the load in place under the wood or metal b eam.

With these and other objectsV in view, the invention comprises the various features and arrangements of parts hereinafter more fully described and defined in the annexed claims.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in the preferred formV and a modiiication thereof, in which:

Fig. r1 isa side View of a trailer to which the preferred form of the invention is applied, and in which the raised or operative position of the load supporting means is indicated in dotted lines;`

Fig. 2v is a plan view ofthe trailer and load supporting means vshown in Fig. 1;Y

Fig. 3 is an enlarged View in elevation partly in section of one of the load fasteningV units of our invention, showing arm supporting elements in position for laterally supporting the arms in raised position;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the load supporting unit shown in Fig.v3; "jv

Fig. 5 is an end view taken from the left in Fig. 3; l

kim

AFig. 10 is. an end view taken from the left in Fig. 8;

..lig.. 11 is aview in elevation showing the modified form of load supporting unit with two separate 1atera1. load holding members carried by the arms of the unit for applying downward pressure on the load;

Fig 121s anenlarged fragmentary view of a portionpffthelocking means for locking the modifiedjlo'adjsupportingl unit of Fig. 8y in Yengaged positiolnona trailer or other-transporting means; "jrF ig.jl3 is a ldetailed front View in elevation 4slhlvllngjoneof the llateral load holding members, twojpf `whichare,shown,in operative position in Eiggllllfl--. A "Figli is aview in elevation of a .tractor and trailer showing threeload supporting units of the modified frmconnected to thetrailer, the elevated,positionof the lload supporting arms being ifndi'ated,'inpdottedlines; s l Y Eig. .lpisjai plan view fromunder the floor of the trailer or truck o n which the units are mounted showing the meansfor locking the load suppo tingunits mplace; and t v V. ';g.' 16isa fragmentary view in elevation showing one .of the-load supporting-arms in inclined position 'and held in place by anv armv Supporting element the load `being-.held against vertical KlQYCmentby .as supplementalload confining unit together. with chain, members to hold the rsuppletmelltalbunit' in place.- L

` Referring more in detail ,to thedrawings, the numeral 2` designates Aa load supporting unit of ourrinve'ntion' in its preferred form, which.A is adapted tovbe permanently installed in position in the floor of thetrailer or transporting device. The trailer .orjptransporting devicemay be furnished witha suitable number of the units, as three,.for example, which are preferably mountedtransversely vacross the floor, as indicated in Figs. land 2 yof the drawings, so as to be flush with theuppersurfaceof the floor.

i'Iheload supporting units` are preferably ar- I ranged parallel to each other anddistributed at equalintervals on the floor or supporting surface, but thel units may be distributed at irregular in tervals, if desired,to accommodate irregular forms iof loads.`

.'I'helloadsupporting units preferably comprise alcasing 5,havin'g side .portions 4 and 6, which maybe composed of channel beamsor other suitable. structural .members., The beams Il and 5 .are preferably rof. steel-in order ,to provide suflicientV strengthtoY holdk the loadstfor which the units are` intended. 'The channel beams or side portions 4 ,and may be vunited at the ends by 'platemembers andY I0 so as to holdthe beams in spacedrelation, thereby forming a part of the casing 5. The side membersld and. 6 may also` b evuvnited at the mid portionby a plate member9. at ,the upper surfaceof theA casing 5. The end-Plats .and Il) may be provided with cir- 09 hold the screwlmemb'er: `|8 against rotation in the adjusted 'positionj' If the cushioning element 51 is to be interposed between the load and the surface of the load supporting-arm 56, it is preferably attached before thearm member 56 is raised in position.

694 may be raised or lowered to the desired position, so as to exert they desired pressure on the top of the load. The chain members and |02 may-be attached to the loadsupporting arms in any desired manner, but are l'preferably fastened.

by attaching a ring |05 (Fig. 9) at one end of the chain overa hook member' |01, indicated more particularly'in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and passing the chaimfasf 08, through a slot |09 (Fig. 14) at the end of the arms, as 48, which engages in the slotfto hold 'the chain 4in place. The chain |00 is also engaged in a slot between the branches of the hook meinberlllat the end of the Alink member 96. by which the linkY 86 is straightened into substantial alignment with the adjacent chain section. vThe end of the chain including the end fastening member |06 may then hang loosely down from the link as indicated in Fig. 16 of thedrawings. The load supporting arms, as -'48`, may also bev additionally supported by means of arm supporting elements 60, as indicated. A Y

A modi'iication of the invention is illustrated in Figs.f8, 11, 14 and 15, in which the units are constructedin such a manner as to beA removable from Va trailer, truck or other transporting devic'e with which the units are to be used. The loadl suppQrting units of this modified form may bedirectly'atta'ched to a load before the units are fastened in position on the trailer or transporting device, thus permitting a load .with the attached units to be moved as a unit by means of a crane or other mechanism and greatlyfacilitates the storage, and loading of a truck, trailer or the like, particularly in cases Where the load isto be shifted from one transporting device to another before it reaches its destination, as in thetransportation of pipe sections, torpedoes or other munitions where there is danger of injuring parts by relative movements Within parts ,of the load, or where the load is to be transported first by vehicles, then Vby barges or ships and again by vehicles, asis frequently necessary in the transportation of munitions andY other locking mechanism, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 11, 12 and l5 of the drawings.

The

locking mechanism `comprises slide members |28 under Vthe oor of the -trailer or transporting device which slide in orfu'nder retainers |30 having an' offset portion |32 providing a groove to hold the slide members in place. The slide members |28 are provided with slots |34 at spaced intervals along the slides in proximity to the locations of the openings |26, so that the extensions |24V may pass through the circular portions |36 of the slots. The extensions |24 are provided with a groove |38, as indicated in Fig. 11 of the drawings, which is adapted to slide'over the narrowed portion |-40 of the slot |34 so as to lock the extensions |24, and the load supporting units connected thereto, in place.

The slide members |28 may be operated in any suitable manner, preferably by means of a screw bolt or tap boltV |42, held in place by means of one or more collars |44 which engage a non-threaded portion of the screw member so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the screw bolt |42. The end vof the screw bolt or jtap bolt is provided With a headY |46 so that the screw bolt may be turned by a crank or other suitable device. 'Ihe slide member |28 is provided with a collar member |158 which is internally screw threaded so as to engage the screw thread on the screw bolt |42, and thereby cause suitable longitudinal movement of the slide member |28 from the open position in which the extension is in engagement with thecircular portion |36 of the slot to the locked position indicated in Fig. 12, in which the narrowed part of the slot engages the groove |38 of the extension |24. A stop member |50 may be provided at the inner end of the screw bolt member |42` so that the collar |48 will engage the stop member |50 when the slide member |28 has been moved into the locking position as indicated in Figs. l2 and l5 of the drawings.

In both forms -of the load protecting mechanism illustrated in Figs. 3 and l1, the arms 48 and 56 may be locked in the down position so as to be flush with the upper surface of the casing 5 by -.turning the screws I6 and |8 in a direction so that the outer ends of the arms contact with the inner edges of theV platforms 36 and 38, thus rigidly holding the arms in retracted position.

In transporting a heavy resilient load, additional lateral load binding means may be used, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 11 and 13 of the drawings, which engage the load, or a plank or board covering the same, at the upper surface in proximity to the -load supporting arms. The lateral load holding members may comprise a reenforcing member ||0 having a link member H2 adapted to pass around the arm member 48 and engage in one Vof the slots to hold the member in position thereon,.as" indicated in the drawings. A bracket member `H4 having a threaded opening ||6 therein is adapted to support a screw member IIB which passes through an upper guide member |20, so that as the screw member ||8 is turned down against the load I I3 or plank ||5 covering the load, the pressure is exerted correspondingly upwardly and is exerted on the link member H2, whereby the adjacent portion of the load is rigidly held against movement.' Similar/lateral load holding members may be used in connection with each of the other units, being similarly supported on the load supporting arms so as to produce balance or-symmetry in the load holding means, thereby eliminating the possibility of load shifting, or of throwing the load aises-,sce

or cables ofy the form shown in'F'ig'. 9' of the' drawalthough the use" of addi'tion'a'll fasten# ing means is not essential.' y

It is' to'v be un'de'rs't'ood' that various changes or modineations may be' fria-de in the details or construction as' vri-1lv be apparent' to those skilled in the art Without departing' from' lthe spirit or scope of' the invention as` de'ned in thel annexed claims. i f

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new ist' I f l y 1. A load protecting devicecoinprising a easing, a p'a'ir oiarms adapted to lie" flat at ,the4 surface or trie easing when'- not raised into" an' inclined position, mear-is for' pivctaliy supporting' the arms at' one' ener thereof topermit pivotalA movement or` the arms from' said' end into' ari inclined positiori, power multiplying means' for' rnoving'itlie said pivotal'- supporting meanslongitddinall'v' df the casing into a desired lateral position' to ac'- c'onnnodate' the width' of the' load' to be held between thel arms', an arm' supporting element adapted to hold each of the said'i 'arins' in' iiielined position and' means for' changing the e'ffective length of each of the arin' supporting' el'ements to support' the arrnsattne desired inclinatio'n. 2. A load protecting mechanism comprising" a casing, a' pair' of" arrrs adapted to' li' ush' with. the surface or the casing when not' extended; arm carrying members Within said Casing. adaptedl tohe moved longitudinally therein' Without rotation', means for' pivota'llv suppo'r'tilg4 each of the arms on" one' of said arm carrying' memhers, means for' supporting each of's'aid arms-in an inclined7 position with respect' to said' casing.. and

means for lockingeach of said arms, in the d'ovm position' so as to be' 'u'sh with .the upper surface oi the casing. u

A load protecting' mechanism cernprisi'n-g,4 a'. casing, a pair" of' arms' adapted to lie' i'at at the surface' o'f the casing' when not extendedi. meansA for pivotally supporting each ofA said arms at one end' tl'ier'eoiV toA permit pivotal movement of the arms into an' inclinedl position to retain` a load between theA arms',l means for movingY eachof' saida'r'ms from" said pivotal: supporting meansu longitudinally of the casingr to separate the arms'sorastoA accommodate' a desired width of loadistop means for limiting'tl'ie swing of'fcacl ofthe arms about said pivots',` adjustable means for supportin'g each' of said' arm's' in' apr e`determned incl-inedg position' from' supports within said i casi-ng` and: means' for'lo'cking' each of said' arms inretracted position so' as' to' he ilil'shA with the upper surface# of said casing.

4. A load protecting mechanism comprising a casing, a pair of arms adapted' to lieiiush with the surface of' the casing in retracted position.. arm supporting members within said" casing,i means-for pivotaily supporting'eaci of said" arms on:v one of said arm supporting` rn'eirile'rs,V screw" or the: casing' toy the central portiontliereoij stop! rneansirorslimitingt'lie swinger eacli' ofsaidiarnis' inn ofsad arr'r'isin' a predetermined inclined position, `iiiearis forl lockingeacri of said arms in retracted position ifusl with the' upper surface'oi Sai'd faS'ng", s' l'lp'plenietitail` adjustable fastening means for positioning'on the' upper' surface or the load, means for' connecting the said supplemental fastening ineens' to each1 of said arnrs in'- the in'- clined position tliereor and screw means for tightening' the' said' connecting means in the ad'- j'usted positiorithereof. u

5i load protecting device' oomprisingia oasing, a pair of arms' adapted to lie` Iflat at tnesurface of the oasin'g when noteiitended, arm' carry"- ing' members, means for Apivota'lly supporting the ar'n'is at' one end` tilereof'fromthe drin carrying' memoersito-pernnt pivotal movement of the arin's fror'n trie said pivet'ed ends into' an inclined up- Ward position', screuf means' for moving' the said ann carrying members longitudinally of the eas ing into` spaced lateral positions to accommodate a predetermined width of load' between the said arms', rneansfor supporting the said arms in the said inclined" position andpavvl and ratchet nieans for' locking each' of said arrii carrying members in' 'x'ed position.

61A load' protecting device'com'prisi'ng'a cas'ir'ig having channel bars on' each' side' thereof, a rack at the' lower surface of'ea'ch' of said' channel bars within the casing,i a pair of arms adapted to lie datand fiushwith the' surface of the casing in retracted position; means' fo'rpivo'tally' supporting theA armsjat one end thereof to"l permit pivotal movement or th'e arms from said supported: ends into'aninclined position, a support at each end of the' casi-ng" for supporting" the' other end' of said arm, screw' means for' moving' the said', pivotal supportingv means longitudinally of the' casing irl-to a predetermined' lateral position to` accommodate a desired'A Width" o'fload tobe' held between the" arms' in" an inclined position, an ar'm supporting' element having a bas'e' member adapted to be' held'lloy said racks* in a predetermined position, a hea'dj portion having extensions' thereon adapted to;itli'ntoslotsI in thesaid arms so" as to" lioldeach of Said" arms' in the saidv inclined predetermined position, means for changing' the effective length ofi e'a'ch of said' arm' supporting' elements andmeans for' locking" the arm' supporting elements' at the desired enfeetive length'.

7'. A. 10a`d. prdtecti'ng" llhliiis cm'pslg" al casing, a pair oi armsadapted'tolieu'sh Witlithe' surface of the casingwvvhelrnot extended, arm carrying members within said: casing' adapted to be moved longitudinally therein, means for mounting each of'said` arm' carrying members on a threaded shaft, means for preventing'rotation of said arm carrying members' Within the' casing Wuhen'movedA longitudinally therein by the rotationl of said-'threaded' shaft, means' forp'ivotally Supporting each of said' arms on' orieof said arm carrying members", locking, means for locking the said armcarrying' members in' Xe'd' position onsaid` threaded sl'iaits, means'V for' limiting Ithe pivotalmovement ofthe arms' on said' arm carrying members, means for supporting e'acliof said arrnseinan inclined position' with respect to said casir'lgpmeanslior locking'ea'ch of 'said amis in the retracted' position flush' with the'upper surface ofthe; easing"A and holding'v means' f'or fastening the ends of 'the arms'to the said casing, to rigidly hold= theV arms against said supportingmeanss 8. A 'load' protecting. mechanism mcomprising a casing, a' pair' of arms" adapted to lieflat atV the surface ofthe casing. When not extended, means about saidlpilvots; adjustable means' frslpporti 7'5; frlivflly Sllporti'ng each of said arms at one end thereof to permit movement of the arms into Van inclined position for retaininga'load between the arms, means for movin'g'e'ac'h'of'said arms .from said pivotal supportingmeans longitudinally of the casing to separatethe arms a predetermined width to accommodate the desired width of load,`stop means for limiting the swing .of each vof the arms about said pivots, adjustable supporting means for supporting each of said arms'in a predetermined inclined position from supports within the casing Vandon said arms, a supplemental holdingmeans having a base member adapted Yto engage the surface of the load, a body portionV carrying link members pivoted thereon, means for raising and lowering the said body portion with respect to said member and means for connecting the ends of said link members to the outer ends of said arms and lever means for raising the said body portion by which pressure may be exerted by the said base member against the said load. Y l

9. A load protecting mechanism comprising a casing, a'pair of arms adapted to lie flat at the surface of the casing ush with the surface of the transporting surface in which the casing is installed, means for pivotally supporting each of said arms at one end thereof to permit movement of the arms into'an inclined position for retaining the load to be carried between the arms, means for moving each of said arms from said pivotal supporting means longitudinally of the casing to separate the arms a predetermined width to accommodate the desired width of load, adjustable supporting means for supporting each of said arms in 'a predetermined inclined position, a supplemental holding means adapted to engage the surface of the load to prevent vertical displacement of the load including a body portion having outwardly extending link members pivoted thereon, chain members adapted to be connected einem porting` said arms on said arm carrying members adjacent the inner vends of the arms so as to be pivotallysuppor'ted near the middle of the transporting surface in theretracted position of the arms,'s'crew means adapted to engage the internal threads ofthe said armcarrying members for positioning the arm carrying members at any desired position between the middle of the transporting surface and the outer lateral edge thereof, and locking means-for rigidly securing the arm Y carrying members in xed position so as to nx from the ends of the link members to the ends of 1 the arms in the inclined position, screw means for tightening the said chain members by raising the said body portion and chain members fastening the ends of the arms to the saidrcasing to prevent upward movement of .the arms.

10. A load protecting unit installed permanently as a part of a transporting device comprising a casing, the upper surface of which is flush with the `carrying surface of the transporting device, a pair of arms adapted to lie flat in the surface of the casing when not inuse so as to form part of the transporting surface, arm carrying members in said casing, means for pivotally supporting the arms on said arm carrying members adjacent the inner ends of the said arms to permit movement thereof into an inclined position, means for displacing the arm carrying members transversely of the surface of the transporting device to positions near the outer margins of the said surface so as to permit ythe arms to accommodate a maximum width of load to be carried by the transporting device and means for locking the said arm carrying members in the desired fixed position. Y Y Y 11. A load protecting unit installed permanently as apart of a transporting device comprising a casing, the upper surface of which lies flush with the carrying surface of the transporting device, a pair of arms adapted to lie flat in the surface of the casing so as to form part of the carrying surface of the transporting device, means for locking the said arms inthe said at retracted position, internally screw threaded arm carrying members in said casing, means for pivotally sup,

the lateral positions ofthe said arms to accommodate the desired width of load.

12,. A load supporting unit adapted to be locked in position on a loadtransporting surface which comprises a casing, a pair of load supporting arms adapted to lie ilush with the surface of the casing in retracted position, arm carrying members in said casing, means for pivotally supporting the arms on said arm carrying members, means for displacing the arm carrying members transversely ofthe surface vof the transporting device to any desired position between the middle and the lateral margins of the transporting surface to permit the armste accommodate any desired width of load between the .said lateral margins of the transporting device, meansfor locking the said arm carrying members in xed position, and locking means for fastening the load supporting unit onV the surface of the transporting device and for releasing thesame Vso as to permit the load supporting'unit and the load carried thereby to be handled as aunit.

13. A load supporting unit and trailer combination which comprises a trailer, a load supporting unit adapted to be mounted on the trailer having a casing, arm carrying members mounted within the casing, a pair of arms mounted on said arm carrying members, means for displacing the arm carrying members transversely of the surface of the trailer at a desired position between the inner portion of the surface of the trailer and the outer lateral edges thereof to accommodate a desired widthof load, means for locking the arm carrying members Vin the desired fixed positions, openings inthe oor of the trailer, projections on the said load supporting unit adapted to pass into said openings and locking elements carried by the trailer for locking' the said projections in said openings during transportation of the load and the load supporting unit;

14. A load transporting unit and vehicle combination permitting a 'load and attached load transporting units to be handled as a unitary mass to be carried by the vehicle in locked assembled vposition which comprises a casing, arm carrying members mounted within the casing for to and fro movement therein, an arm carried by .each'of said'arm carrying members, a pivotal support'for each of said arms adjacent one end thereof carried by one of said arm carrying members to permit extending the arms into inclined position, meansfor moving the said arm carrying members longitudinally within the said casing, a locking element for locking the said arm carrying members in xed position, a vehicle for carrying the load supporting unit, an extension part and cooperating indentation part for connecting the saidY load transporting unit to the vehicle in adjusted position, one of said parts being carried by the said load transporting unit and the other part being carried by the said vehicle and means operated in' connection with the said vehicle for locking the said partsvtogether to prevent relative n'frmlementr of the said unit and the vehicle whileV 4 the load and the unit are being transported .by

the vehicle. I

15. A load transporting unit and vehicle combination permitting a load and transporting units to be handled as a unitary load to be transported which comprises a casing, arm carrying members mounted for to and fro movement Within the casing, an arm carried by each of said arm carrying members, means for moving said arm i carrying members longitudinally of the casing into a spaced lateral position to accommodate a predetermined width of load between the arms, means for locking each of said arm carrying members in fixed position, a lateral load holding member mounted -on each of said arms in xed position, means for adjusting the position of the `load holding members to be positioned in proximity to the load to be carried by the said unit, screw means forming part of said load holding members for applying pressure from the said holding members to the surface of the load, extensions connected to the base of the said transporting unit, a vehicle for carrying the said transporting unit in locked position, indentations in the transporting surface of the said vehicle adapted to cooperate with the said extensions to connect the said load transporting unit to the vehicle in adjusted position, and slide means mounted under the floor of the vehicle for engaging the said extensions so as to lock the transporting unit in fixed position.

176. A load transporting unit and vehicle combination as claimed in claim in which a plurality of load supporting units are attached to a load in predetermined positions so that the extensions on the said units will engage in the corresponding indentations in proper spaced relation in the oor of the vehicle so as to permit locking of the units in spaced relation to the transporting surface of the vehicle.

17. A load protecting device comprising a unitary casing having a flat upper surface in which openings extend from substantially the ends of the casing to the central portion thereof, a pair of arms adapted to t into said openings and to lie flush with the surface of the casing so as to form a part thereof in the unextended positions of the said arms, means for supporting the arms in proximity to one end thereof to permit piv otal movement of the arms into an inclined upward position, means for moving the said supporting means for the arms longitudinally of the casing into any desired lateral position between the central portion of the casing and the ends thereof, so as to accommodate any desired width of load between the arms within the longitudinal limits of the casing and means for supporting the said arms in the inclined position.

18. The combination of a series of iiat loadsupporting units and a transporting device having a flat carrying surface, said load-supporting units being adapted to be attached in spaced parallel relation to a longitudinally extending load so as to extend transversely under the said load, downwardly extending regularly spaced projections carried by each of said load-supporting units adapted to serve as supports when the loadcarrying units are placed on a substantially flat surface, indentations carried by the surface of the transporting device at spaced intervals so as to be directly registerable with said spaced projections when moved into position for registration therewith, and multiple unit-fastening means4 adapted to operate on a plurality of said projections in series when engaged in said indentations, by which the units in parallel may be simultaneously locked in position on said transporting device.

CHESTER W. ACKERMAN-` EMME'I'I A. FIERBAUGH. 

